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Ellesmere Port residents say – NO.

The CW&C planning committee say – NO

A Public Inquiry will resume in Chester Town Hall from the 26thto the 28thFebruary; it deals with a number of firsts.

First public inquiry in the UK to be held where the planning application has been refused on the grounds of failing to mitigate the effects of climate change – granting the application would fly in the face of all recent climate science which requires us to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 Deg C. Ignoring this could lead to climatic disaster within a couple of decades.

First gas well sitethat is situated in an urban area – on an industrial estate with a new housing estate under construction only 320m away.

Nearly 1,500 separate objections and a petition of over 1000 signatures were against the proposal.

Public statements from three local MPs, a representative for the Cheshire Crime and Police Commissioner, have supported the groundswell of opposition. Many local residents gave moving accounts of how the existing pollution in Ellesmere Port and surrounding areas has affected their health adversely.

So far the inquiry has unearthed –

250,000+ is the estimated policing cost to Cheshire Police if IGas is successful in this appeal.

15,000+ is the amount of money raised in crowd funds for FFEP&U to defend the council decision.

17,600 is the amount of tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions the IGas proposal will cause.

3,500 is the number of times a car would travel around the worldto expel the same amount of CO2.

2 is the number of people who were in favour of the IGas proposals.

0 is the number of permanent local jobs likely to be created as a result of the IGas operation.

0 is the amount of Climate Change experts provided by IGas to the inquiry.

IGas are looking to sting the Cheshire West & Chester Council for the cost of the inquiry. IGas has to prove to the government appointed planning inspector, that the CW&C planning refusal is unreasonable. Potentially this cost could be considerable and will, without doubt, hit CW&C essential community services hard.

Frack Free Ellesmere Port & Upton will object to this IGas proposal every step of the way.

The Public Inquiry being held in Chester Town Hall from the 22ndto the 24thJanuary has a number of firsts.

First Public Inquiryin the UK to be held where the planning application has been refused on the grounds of failing to mitigate the effects of climate change – granting the application would fly in the face of all recent climate science which requires us to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 Deg C otherwise face climatic disaster within a couple of decades.

First gas well site that is situated in an urban environment – on an industrial estate with a new housing estate under construction only 320m away.

First in the UK to be held where the planning application has been refused on the grounds of failing to mitigate the effects of climate change – granting the application would fly in the face of all recent climate science which requires us to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 Deg C otherwise face climatic disaster within a couple of decades.

First in the UK where the well site is located in an urban environment. If the precedent is set here, we could have gas wells popping up in towns all around the country.

The Ellesmere Port Public Inquiry is at the Chester Town Hall and we hope that Frack Free supporters will rally front of the Town Hall from 9.30 am on Tuesday 15 January. There will be banners, placards and facilities for public speaking while those attending the inquiry must be inside by 9.30 for a 10.00 start. The rally is expected to continue outside for some time.

The map shown in the following link shows parking, rail and bus stations and public toilets in the city centre.

The Town Hall is a 15 minute walk from the rail and bus stations, but I there is a number 40 bus service running to the city centre every 10 or 12 minutes.

The closest public toilets to the Town Hall are below the market hall off Princess Street or at the Storeyhouse on Northgate Street/ Hunter Street corner.

There is town centre car parking available for about £5 for the day.

In addition to the car parks shown, there are large park and ride sites at all main approach roads to Chester.

There are plenty of places for food and drink around the Town Hall Square including Blackstocks very good fish and chips, trendy coffee and sandwich bars, the new Storeyhouse, the market hall cafe itself and several pubs and hotels. For some peace and quiet, there is the Cathedral and it’s refectory. The tourist information office is in the Town Hall Square and there’s the whole centre for exploring.

Firstly, wishing you a happy and successful 2019 and thanking you all for your support in 2018.

We are in the final lap of the run up to the Inquiry. So far we are on track and have submitted everything on time. We are in good shape to prevent Ellesmere Port from being turned into the centre of a gas extraction industry, it all remains to be lost or won on the day.

The Inquiry will be held at Chester Town Hall at 10am from 15th to 18th and 22nd to 24th January 2019.